Transitioning from intelligent to smart technologies has been a long way as it has taken decades of dedication. Navigating industry posture and refining technical endeavors in ever-evolving surrounding have played a pivotal role. With intelligent systems development, it is possible to govern solution, using feedback control that is well-researched concept in control theory. On the other hand, smart technologies are next-generation enhancements, balancing between technological requirements and security challenges.
Positioning systems have always provoked engineering communities through time, suggesting even the simplest control architectures needed to be innovated in era of their applications. Innovation is crucial for making anything sophisticated ever, unlocking heaps of opportunities to those who are prepared to invest into such explorations. Designing smart positioning system is an ultimate goal nowadays. Such research could serve in civilian, defense and even space industries, embracing immense convergence of Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) paradigms, usages and security needs.
IoT and AI go hand-to-hand and give some hope in many fields of human activities. Making IoT networks is a high demand, while dealing with AI might assure better effectiveness, faster data processing and more reliable defense in everyday routines. Challenge with AI is it is still dependent on accuracy of input information, providing less qualitative outcomes if incoming data is inadequate. Also, this means stronger bolster in case of wireless transmission of information, as well as more developed and deployed cloud computing. Smart positioning systems deeply rely on these concepts as age of novel technological frontiers is anticipated to arrive.
The Recent Challenge: Intelligent Positioning System
Intelligent positioning systems have begun developing about a couple of decades ago, streamlining completely new concept in control engineering. These systems have invoked feedback control, using some wired proximity sensors that can quite accurately determine position of rotating device. Such systems could deal with three elementary positions such as in, out and over, making an angle of up to 60 degrees between one another. Appeal for such improvement has come as the previous ON-OFF control needed to be replaced with something handier. This innovation at its very basic level includes:
- DC Motor Setup
DC motor is actuator of such feedback control system, giving driving force to mechanical part to move. As segment of feedback control, actuator usually serves as plant, receiving signal from its controller to perform as wanted.
- DC Motor Controller
This is only a purchased part, being in compliance with the rest of control system kit. It can govern behavior of actuator in real-time. When installing this testbed, it is very important to adjust all parts carefully – otherwise control system will not operate.
- Wired Sensor’s Network
Usually, some smart switches and potentiometers are used to provide feedback information to controller. In addition, wiring issue is not resolved in this case as an entire setup still deals with many wires and cables, causing wireless transmission of information and control signal a bit trickery.
- Signal Convertor’s Testbed
These systems apply digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital interface, looking for well-researched and developed AC/DC and DC/AC convertors.
- Computer Application
Good coding might seem as critical phase in making final solution as computer software is something that can guarantee a user-friendly experience.
Intelligent positioning systems are step forward in development and deployment of open-loop control technology. Yet, these systems are significantly improved, using wireless networking that might promise more convenient experience. In such case, smart positioning systems are that next generation, mainly relying on IoT approach.
- The Ongoing Remark: Smart Positioning Solution
With arising needs for copper and its reserves limitations, wiring issue has become a central concern. Even a few decades back, one of the greatest engineering challenges has been wireless transfer of information and energy. Smart technologies have overcome such problem, applying mid-range internet connectivity at homes and businesses. Such solution is very inexpensive, somewhat reliable and still pretty unsafe. In today’s world of interconnected objects, wiring issue is highlighting two challenges such as limitation of resources and well-protected wireless systems. Apparently, some differences between intelligent and smart positioning systems might cover:
- Wireless Sensor’s Grids
Cordless sensing networks have become top requirement for modern interconnected technologies, resolving packaging remarks and wiring issues. These networks truly innovate smart positioning systems that now communicate and send control signals at quite quick pace. Only drawbacks with these systems could be interference, range and coverage challenges, opening up totally new arena in science and engineering.
- Cloud Computing
Cloud computing infrastructures are still something extremely new in cyber industry, unlocking limitless options in both – data storage and information transmission field. These assets count on reliable and safe web connections, dealing with vast amount of data being managed by them. Computer programs might cope with cloud advancement in extremely bullish manner, streamlining smart positioning systems to spot of IoT networks and other smart technologies.
- Feedback Control
In closed-loop control, controller must be adjusted to desired value as plant could receive control signal and behave in wanted fashion, providing output information from wireless sensor’s grid. This information is further compared with desired value at input and if error is zero, system operates with accuracy. Such new challenge if applying Wi-Fi signal for data exchange, is mostly implementation of IoT network to feedback control.
Encompassing smart positioning systems with IoT excellence is ongoing challenge nowadays. Smart positioning systems look for more innovations and better performances that could enhance their operability, functionality and security. This is strongly possible with new class of cutting-edge solutions.
The Overall Shift: Signal Processing Enhancement
In modern digital systems such as IoT network, it is necessary to put accent on much faster and more accurate signal processing. Enhancing these capabilities in binary data processing is from vital significance in sustaining such assets. With cloud technologies, large portion of data can be monitored, analyzed and detected, unleashing very comprehensive area to play in.
- AI-Powered IoT Networks: Opportunities and Open Questions
AI is good as long as input data are good, otherwise it can make a mess. On the other hand, if everything works flawlessly, some advantages of this technology can be considered. Applying AI in IoT grids is very critical as it can offer a lot of opportunities, as well as open up some questions. Synergy between AI and IoT can bring some feasibilities such as:
- Prompt data processing: It can accelerate signal analytics, accuracy and exchange.
- Better high-tech security: Some signal anomalies can be detected, analyzed and removed.
- Higher efficiency and effectiveness: Systems work smarter, not harder.
The Key Rally: Physical and Virtual Security Concerns
Physical challenges with smart positioning system can occur if factors like interference, space noise, vibrations and harsh working conditions are present. Therefore, virtual security is needed for better technical operability as hacked systems might get malfunctional. Assuring more reliable and better trusted functioning of smart positioning systems is central question that seriously corresponds with IoT network security.
Tips and Tricks for Further Research: Need of Long-Term Commitment
Here are some ideas how tomorrow’s smart positioning systems could be tackled:
- Smart investment in both – software and hardware engineering.
- Better and effective physical and cyber security assessments.
- Long-term dedication in deserving innovations.
- Intelligent selection of science and technology talents.
- Meeting extremely high environmental safety and security requirements.
Final Thoughts
Positioning systems have challenged engineers, researchers and inventors over time. At present, making such systems is matter of emerging IoT paradigm. Indeed, these technological endeavors still need a commitment to be functional and cost-effective, liberating a plenty of safety and security challenges, too.
About The Author
Milica D. Djekic is an Independent Researcher from Subotica, the Republic of Serbia. She received her engineering background from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Belgrade. She writes for some domestic and overseas press, and she is also the author of the books “The Internet of Things: Concept, Applications and Security” and “The Insider’s Threats: Operational, Tactical and Strategic Perspective” being published in 2017 and 2021 respectively with the Lambert Academic Publishing. Milica is also a speaker with the BrightTALK expert’s channel. She is the member of an ASIS International since 2017 and contributor to the Australian Cyber Security Magazine since 2018. Milica’s research efforts are recognized with Computer Emergency Response Team for the European Union (CERT-EU), Censys Press, BU-CERT UK and EASA European Centre for Cybersecurity in Aviation (ECCSA). Her fields of interests are cyber defense, technology, and business. Milica is a person with disability.
